CONFIDENTIAL
70039
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WITH RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (EG DOCTORS, LAWYERS,
ENGINEERS) OR WITH SPECIFIC ORGANISATIONAL AFFILIATIONS (EG
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, TRADE UNIONS) WHO ELECT FROM AMONG THEIR
OWN NUMBER. THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSISTS OF TWELVE
CONSTITUENCIES, TEN MADE UP OF THE MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND
ONE EACH FROM THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS. THEY CAN ELECT
ANYONE IN HONG KONG WHO IS A REGISTERED ELECTOR AND MEETS
RESIDENCE QUALIFICATIONS. IN FACT AT PRESENT TEN SEATS ARE
FILLED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE OTHER TWO BY A MEMBER
EACH FROM THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
7.
IT WAS STATED IN THE 1984 WHITE PAPER THAT A REVIEW OF
PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE
CARRIED OUT IN 1987. FURTHER CONSIDERATION WOULD THEN BE GIVEN
TO DIRECT ELECTIONS, AND TO THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR AS
PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ELECTIONS TO THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE CONDUCTED ON THE NEW BASIS IN SEPTEMBER
1985. THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN
1988.
TIMETABLE FOR THE 1987 REVIEW AND THE ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC
OPINION
8.
IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT THE
REVIEW SHOULD BE LAUNCHED WITH THE PUBLICATION OF A GREEN PAPER
NO LATER THAN MAY 1987. SOME FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS WILL BE ALLOWED
FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, AND A WHITE PAPER SETTING OUT THE
CONSEQUENT DECISIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER
1987.
9.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSIDERING HOW PUBLIC
OPINION CAN BEST BE ASSESSED AFTER THE GREEN PAPER IS PUBLISHED.
IT HAS A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR MONITORING OPINION EXPRESSED BY
INDIVIDUALS OR THE MEDIA: BUT IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO GIVE DUE
WEIGHT TO THE OPINIONS OF THE LESS VOCAL SECTIONS OF THE
POPULATION. IT WILL BE VITAL THAT THE ASSESSMENT MECHANISM
SHOULD BE SEEN BY THE COMMUNITY AS GENUINE AND IMPARTIAL.
THE MAIN ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED
10.
THE 1987 REVIEW WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER ISSUES QUOTE LEFT
OVER UNQUOTE FROM THE 1984 WHITE PAPER (PARA 7 ABOVE) AS WELL AS
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